ABOUT TESLA NANOCOATINGS
ABOUT TESLA NANOCOATINGS
We Exist for Our Customers
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have historically been difficult to functionalize for commercial applications. We would know- Tesla NanoCoatings is the first company to ever do it. Our CNT coating technology spent 3 years in the development stage before it was ready to be brought to the market.
So, why did we go through all the trouble?
The answer is simple: we exist for our customers.
All of our years of dedicated CNT and coating research were carried out to provide our customers with the stability and benefits that we always knew carbon nanotubes to be capable of.
Our nanocoating technology can be introduced to coating application technicians with a minimal learning curve. Thanks to our coatings’ ease of application and quick re-coat times, we are able to ultimately reduce manning and personnel-on-board (POB) requirements during the application process. This results in significant cost savings for our customers and a rapid return on investment.
We keep our finger on the pulse of our customers’ needs by attending trade shows and hearing directly from them how we can improve our products and service. Of course, it’s great to hear what they’re already loving about our products, too. We frequently hear from impressed clients that our award-winning TESLAN® 1105 NANO Non-Skid Deck Coating routinely exceeds their expectations in application, performance, and durability.
We will continue to further develop CNT technology to find its best uses, not just in coatings but in any products that will benefit our customers. It’s what we’re here for.
The History of Tesla NanoCoatings
The story of Tesla NanoCoatings’ success began with our founder, Todd Hawkins.
Hawkins, a degreed Petroleum Engineer, first began development on Tesla NanoCoatings while working for a large defense contractor. In his time serving the defense sector, he imagined an alternative to cadmium plating- one that possessed the same level of strength and corrosion protection, but did not exhibit any of the adverse health, safety, and environmental ramifications often associated with protective plating. With years of careful research and development, Hawkins finalized the formula that would go on to be the first product of Tesla NanoCoatings.
Today, Tesla NanoCoatings has expanded in scope to supply an extensive collection of primers, topcoats, deck coatings, and more. Each product from Tesla NanoCoatings is formulated to display incredible strength and durability for the protection of steel structures, but can still be applied just as easily as any other epoxy coating.
Get the full timeline of Tesla NanoCoatings’ history below, from the discovery of carbon nanotubes to today’s implementation of CNTs in commercial use. If you want a sneak peek- we’re the only ones who have accomplished it to date.
In 1991, Carbon Nanotubes were first discovered.
As is often the case, it takes years for a new material to make it out of academia and into manufacturing at scale. In this instance, it took almost 15 years for carbon nanotubes to make their way out of the lab and into commercial use.
After theory made it to prototype, Finnish nano-scientist Doctor Jorma Virtanen joined Hawkins in his work and Tesla NanoCoatings was formed. The following several years were consumed by painstaking research, exacting trial applications, and rigorous materials testing- all with the ultimate goal of functionalizing carbon nanotubes to reach their full potential.
2007
1991
Carbon Nanotubes in the Prototype Phase
After many years of testing carbon nanotube theory and studying university-based research, the first prototypes of CNT coatings were developed.
2005
Tesla NanoCoatings is Established
Todd Hawkins departs from Lockheed Martin to found Tesla NanoCoatings. Dr. Jorma Virtanen, Finnish nano-scientist, joins Tesla NanoCoatings shortly after.
2007
2012
Army Corps of Engineers
Products by Tesla NanoCoatings were first deployed with the US Army on multiple projects.
2008
2012
2012 marked the year that ground-breaking carbon nanotube technology was brought to the commercial market. Following commercialization, Tesla NanoCoatings has received many accolades over time. In addition to the awards and recognition of work towards developing carbon nanotube technology, Tesla NanoCoatings literally wrote the book on carbon nanotubes in Coatings – American Society for Metals (now ASM International).
Full Commercialization of Carbon Nanotubes
A complete, first-to-market industrial nanocoating system was launched by Tesla NanoCoatings.
2012
ASM Handbook
Tesla Nanocoatings authored the 2015 ASM Handbook on carbon nanocoating technology advancement.
2015
Tesla NanoCoatings Is Recognized by CNBC
In CNBC’s annual roundup of upcoming companies, Tesla NanoCoatings was ranked at #15 in the Upstart 25 list.
2017
The Silicon Review Magazine
Tesla NanoCoatings was awarded yet again among the “50 Smartest Companies of the Year 2018” by The Silicon Review magazine.
2018
Tesla NanoCoatings Today
Tesla NanoCoatings has come a far way from the one man team that started it all. As of 2023:
1,500,000+ sqft of assets in the Gulf of Mexico are protected with TESLAN- with no recorded replacements to date.
In early 2023, Tesla NanoCoatings reached an astronomical milestone with over a million and a half square feet of TESLAN material applied offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
Tesla NanoCoatings has been active in the Gulf of Mexico since late 2016 with no coating replacements recorded to date.
Clients express that they expect traditional 3-coat systems to last from as little as 6 months to as long as 5 years at the most for GoM service. However, they have experienced up to 2-5 times that expected lifetime scenario with TESLAN systems… the caveat being that every TESLAN coating applied to date has yet to experience an end-of-life scenario.
No other coating system comes close to exhibiting a similar longevity to Tesla NanoCoatings.
TODAY
In 1991, Carbon Nanotubes were first discovered.
As is often the case, it takes years for a new material to make it out of academia and into manufacturing at scale. In this instance, it took almost 15 years for carbon nanotubes to make their way out of the lab and into commercial use.
After theory made it to prototype, Finnish nano-scientist Doctor Jorma Virtanen joined Hawkins in his work and Tesla NanoCoatings was formed. The following several years were consumed by painstaking research, exacting trial applications, and rigorous materials testing- all with the ultimate goal of functionalizing carbon nanotubes to reach their full potential.
1991
2005
2007
1991
Carbon Nanotubes in the Prototype Phase
After many years of testing carbon nanotube theory and studying university-based research, the first prototypes of CNT coatings were developed.
2005
2007
2008
2005
Tesla NanoCoatings is Established
Todd Hawkins departs from Lockheed Martin to found Tesla NanoCoatings. Dr. Jorma Virtanen, Finnish nano-scientist, joins Tesla NanoCoatings shortly after.
1991
2007
2008
2012
2007
Army Corps of Engineers
Products by Tesla NanoCoatings were first deployed with the US Army on multiple projects.
2008
2012
2015
2005
2008
2012
2012
2015
2012 marked the year that ground-breaking carbon nanotube technology was brought to the commercial market. Following commercialization, Tesla NanoCoatings has received many accolades over time. In addition to the awards and recognition of work towards developing carbon nanotube technology, Tesla NanoCoatings literally wrote the book on carbon nanotubes in Coatings – American Society for Metals (now ASM International).
2007
2012
Full Commercialization of Carbon Nanotubes
A complete, first-to-market industrial nanocoating system was launched by Tesla NanoCoatings.
2012
2015
2017
2008
2012
ASM Handbook
Tesla Nanocoatings authored the 2015 ASM Handbook on carbon nanocoating technology advancement.
2015
2017
2018
2012
2015
Tesla NanoCoatings Is Recognized by CNBC
In CNBC’s annual roundup of upcoming companies, Tesla NanoCoatings was ranked at #15 in the Upstart 25 list.
2017
2018
2012
TODAY
2017
The Silicon Review Magazine
Tesla NanoCoatings was awarded yet again among the “50 Smartest Companies of the Year 2018” by The Silicon Review magazine.
2018
2015
TODAY
2018
Tesla NanoCoatings Today
Tesla NanoCoatings has come a far way from the one man team that started it all. As of 2023:
1,500,000+ sqft of assets in the Gulf of Mexico are protected with TESLAN- with no recorded replacements to date.
In early 2023, Tesla NanoCoatings reached an astronomical milestone with over a million and a half square feet of TESLAN material applied offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
Tesla NanoCoatings has been active in the Gulf of Mexico since late 2016 with no coating replacements recorded to date.
Clients express that they expect traditional 3-coat systems to last from as little as 6 months to as long as 5 years at the most for GoM service. However, they have experienced up to 2-5 times that expected lifetime scenario with TESLAN systems… the caveat being that every TESLAN coating applied to date has yet to experience an end-of-life scenario.
No other coating system comes close to exhibiting a similar longevity to Tesla NanoCoatings.
TODAY
2017
Tesla NanoCoatings’ Awards & Accolades
2022
Innovation of the Year, Materials Performance
2018
50 Smartest Companies, The Silicon Review Magazine
2017
Upstart 25, CNBC #15
2016
NorTech Innovation Award
2011
R&D 100, R&D Magazine
To learn more about how TESLAN coatings can offer superior protection of steel assets like rigs and offshore structures in just a fraction of the time, give us a call or send us an email today.